Marking device for hens&#39; nests.



C. V. WILLIAMS.

MARKING DEVICE FOR HENS' NESTS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1911.

1 23?? Patented Sept. 18, 191?.

CLEMENT V. WILLIAMS, 0F LOVELAND, OKLAHOMA.

MARKING DEVICE FOR HENS NESTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 191" Application filed May 9, 1917.' Serial No. 167,441.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENT V. WIL- LIAMS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Loveland, in the county of Tillman and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Marking Devices for Hens Nests, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in marking devices, and more particularly to marking devices adapted to be applied to hens nests, and the primary object of the invention relates to the formation of a marking device of this character which Will designate the various hens which are laying, by marking the same upon a use of the nest, and which will also mark any other animals that would enter the nest for the purpose of robbing the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a marking device of this character which comprises a device adapted to sift a quantity of marking powder upon the hen upon entering the nest, and said device is adapted to contain a powerful and effective germicide in addition to the marking'powder, so as to enable the device to be used as a disinfectant in addition to being a marker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very eiiicient in operation.

With these and numerousother objects in view my invention-consists of the novel fea tures of construction, combination and ar rangement of parts which will be herein referred to and more particularlypointed out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the marker applied to the conventional type of hens nest, and c Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the marker.

In describing my invention I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The numeral 1 designates a hens nest of the conventional type, the same being provided with an outlet opening 2 in one wall thereof, and the marker which is designated in its entirety by the numeral 3, is positioned through the top of the nest, adjacent said outlet opening. Although the marker is shown applied to a single nest, it is obvious that a number of these markers may be applied to a plurality of nests, where a panel is provided, the same having a number of outlet openings therein. A marker is provided for each opening, so that the marking material will be sprinkled on the hen upon entering the nest.

The marker comprises a reservoir 4, which is in the shape of a funnel-shaped hopper, and which is adapted to contain a quantity of marking powder, the same being preferably the ordinary type of Venetian red or White powder, which will serve to v distinguish, any colored strain of hen, and which will also mark cats or dogs, etc., when sprinkled thereon. The lower end of the reservoir 4 is connected with a tubular member 5, which is positioned through the top of the nest 1, said tubular member being vertically adjustable therein, so as to posi-i tion the device according to the various sized openings which it is associated with. Secured to the lower end of the tubular mem ber 5 is a flexible brush head 6, which comprises a coiled spring 7, having its upper end secured around the lower end ofthe tubular member, and projecting downwardly a portion of the brush which is designated by the numeral 8 being secured within the lower .end of the spring, while the other portion 9 of said brush surrounds the spring and is secured thereto by an annular band 10. This afi'ords a simple means for securing the brush head in connection with the reservoir, and permits the marking material to flow into engagement with the interior of the passage through the tubular member to the brush. When desired a quantity of any eficient germicide may be added to the marking powder, so that the device may be used as a disinfectant.

In operation when the marker is positioned, as clearly shown in Fig. I of the drawing, upon the hen entering the nest through the opening 2, the brush head 6 will be engaged, and a quantity of marking powder will be sprinkled on the hen. This will positively mark the hen, and enable the poultryman to determine which hens are laying, and which are not laying. This marker will also correspondingly mark animals such as cats and dogs, or wild animals, that enter the nest for the purpose of robbing the same. This type of marker requires very little attention, as it is onlynecessary to keep the'reservoir filled with marking powder, sald reservoir being easily accessible as it is positioned outside of the nest.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to whichthe invention appertains, and While,I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and

that such changes may be made when desired 

